Hello everyone, here is the next chapter. I hope that you enjoy it or found it interesting.
July 12th, 1941
Atlantic Ocean and Europe
By the middle of July 1941, the Battle of the Atlantic had entered its new but disturbing phase with the complete entry of Snezhnaya in the war. For nearly two years, Great Britain had struggled to maintain its maritime lifeline against the German u-boats, surface raiders, and aircraft. Since the start of the war, Great Britain had lost hundreds of ships that were vital to feed the island nation and supply its military. The German commander of the German U-Boatwaffe, Admiral Karl Donitz, understood that by sinking at least 800,000 tons of shipping per month that Germany might compel Britain into abandoning the war by starving it into submission.
This formidable task was one that the German U-boat arm had thus far failed to sustain. However, the entrance of Snezhnaya into the Atlantic Campaign had helped to introduce a new factor into Donitz's calculations. Before the British Declaration of War against Snezhnaya, the Fatui operated in the atlantic a wolfpack of four working submarines that they called Burans. These submarines sank only small numbers of vessels, but achieved notoriety from the Royal Navy after the sinking of the Heavy Cruiser Suffolk.
However, by July, the Fatui expanded their submarine operations to include twelve of their Buran Submarines. These submarines operated into three different wolfpacks that searched the North Atlantic for any British or Allied convoy that they could attack. Unlike their German counterparts, these submarines were much more difficult for the British to spot from air and could only be detected by the British ASDIC sonar systems. British escort commanders could not be able to easily react in time against the Snezhnaya submarines as they never surfaced at needed moments nor could be easily detected by sound.
The moments that they did detect them was not very long in combat as the instance when a destroyer lined up to make a depth charge drop on the enemy, the Buran would dive very quickly and went deeper than any submarine at the time to avoid the drops. Since the beginning of June, the Snezhnaya submarine force has sunk at least 80,000 gross registered tons of merchant shipping. These vessels would be in addition to the ones that the British and the Allies sustained from the U-boat Arm as it started to build up the pressure on the British homefront.
On July 7th, American neutrality started to become a frustration to both the German and Fatui High Commands as the American Marines landed in Iceland to replace the British forces stationed there. This occupation provided the United States with a strong important position along the Northern Atlantic routes and released the British troops for service elsewhere for the war effort. President Roosevelt justified the decision as a necessary measure for the defense of the Western Hemisphere.
Pantalone, the Harbinger responsible for much of Snezhnaya's financial and commercial dealings with Germany, contributed a commentary to the German propaganda press. He questioned whether Roosevelt's government was genuinely interested in maintaining peace with Snezhnaya or was merely trying to create false hopes in the on-going talks.
According to Pantalone, the Tsaritsa had become increasingly concerned by the contradictory behavior of the American president, calling him contradictory in saying that Snezhnaya respected the Monroe Doctrine and did not consider Iceland under that line. Going as far as to accuse Roosevelt of changing his interpretation of the Doctrine to whatever suited Britain more.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Front, the fighting intensified as the German Wehrmacht and Fatui Expeditionary Force continued their offensive invasion into the Soviet Union. The Axis forces advanced hundreds of miles deep into the Soviet Union as they destroyed or encircled large formations of the Red Army. The German Army Group Center had begun another great offensive toward the city of Smolensk that guarded the approaches to Moscow.
In Ukraine, the situation continued to deteriorate for the Soviet Southwestern Front under General Mikhail Kirponos. Following the disastrous armoured engagements around Brody and Ostroh, Soviet formations struggled to reorganize while German and Snezhnayan forces continued their advance eastward. The Fatui Expeditionary Force, commanded by Arlecchino and consisting of two corps, had exploited the confusion created by the earlier Soviet defeats. Its forward mechanized formations advanced through the Zhytomyr region, while reconnaissance detachments prodded the road leading southeast.
Arlecchino's objective was clear in that she intended to bypass the strongest Soviet defenses and reach the Dnieper farther south. This push threatened the Soviet Ukraine capital from an unexpected direction. Although the speed of the Fatui advance alarmed Soviet Commanders, it also created difficulties for her non-mechanized forces to keep up with the forward formations.
On July 10th, Marshal Semyon Budyonny assumed command of the Southwestern Direction that commanded the Southwestern Front and Southern Front in Ukraine. At the start, he already inherited an increasingly dangerous situation with German formations threatening Kyiv's western approaches and the Fatui raising the possibility of a second threat developing further south near the town of Kaniv.
Earth Time: July 13th, 1941
Liyue Harbor, Teyvat
The sight of Liyue Harbor from the junk made Pug think of a more chinese version of Venice with wooden dock platforms and warehouses almost everywhere he could see. The Junk that Pug sailed on from Port Ormos sailed north around the stony peninsula that was not far from the Liyue-Sumeru border and lopped around it west, where they passed a larger stationary Junk decked out in red and yellow painted luxury like it was the Queen Mary out in the harbor. But once they passed it, Pug saw so many ships that were parked in the water and the harbor ranging from larger wooden vessels to smaller wooden vessels. Some of them were ones that matched the more curvy types that were used by Sumeru.
Pug rested his hands upon the wooden railing on the Junk's forecastle as he watched the ship sail up to one wooden dock, where he could see the wonderful city come closer. Then some sailors came up right beside him as Pug moved away as they tossed a rope line to a man on the dock and tied them securely.
"Well, this is Liyue Harbor, what do you think of it?" Aether asked as the sailors began laying a wooden gangplank for them to come ashore.
Pug looked over the waterfront as he could make out the crowded harbor and streets with merchants standing besides their stalls and people coming up to buy their goods.
"Quite a place," he answered, "I've seen some busy ports in my time, but this one's something else."
"Paimon told you, Liyue is rich!" Paimon exclaimed as they started to step off the Junk through the gangplank and onto the wooden pier, "And you haven't even seen the best parts yet."
"I believe you," Pug nodded toward the warehouses and looked toward Aether, "And this place generates a lot of trade, you said?"
" A lot," Aether answered, "Liyue trades with practically every nation in Teyvat."
"Looks like it," Pug replied as his eyes travelled along the water front to a particular spot of the harbor that looked very exotic with two larger piers that were spread apart much and each pier had a giant tower that overlooked water as well as the harbor itself.
As he looked around, he noticed that he could not recognize anything that he could reference as a form of defense against aircraft and shipping. He adjusted the Akademia Hat that was on his head; he still wore the Akademia outfit that he had been given since he first arrived in Teyat.
"Hey, is that Ganyu?" Paimon said, pointing to a woman who was making her way along the wooden pier.
Aether looked in the direction she indicated and smiled, "Looks like it."
Pug turned his attention toward the approaching woman. She had long cerulean blue hair and wore an elegant and attention getting black halternecked bodysuit with accents of fabric that were blue, white, and gold. Oddly enough, the outfit was what surprised Pug more than the two dark red horns upon her head. He had seen enough strange things in Teyvat to know that horns were hardly worth staring at, but some of the fashions worn by the women of this world continued to catch him off guard. Some of these women would even make the flappers of his younger days seem conservative.
As she walked with a calmness that did not belong, two male guards with yellow uniforms carrying spears followed right behind her. Pug guessed that these men were Millelith that Aether told him about.
"Ganyu!" Paimon called out waving both hands.
The woman looked toward them as her expression brightened upon recognizing the Traveler and Paimon.
"Traveler! Paimon! Welcome back to Liyue."
"It's good to see you again," Aether replied.
Ganyu gave a polite nod before turning her attention towards Pug as she briefly examined his Akademiya clothing and the hat upon his head before returning to his face.
"And you must be the guest," she said as if she wasn't trying to say his name outloud.
"That's correct, ma'am," Pug answered as he understood that she was trying to not bring any attention to him by saying his name and nationality.
"Well, it is a pleasure to meet you, sir," Ganyu bowed slightly, "Do you have the paper that our customs official gave you before departing Port Ormos?"
"Yes, ma'am," Pug answered as he retrieved a scroll from a pocket in his robes and handed it to her.
Ganyu carefully unsealed the scroll and examined its contents. Pug watched as her eyes moved over the writing as she stopped at the seals stamped near the bottom. After a moment, she nodded and rolled the scroll back up where she returned it to Pug.
"Everything appears to be in order," she explained, "You will need to retain that during your stay, sir. It serves as confirmation of the arrangements made between the respective authorities of Liyue and Sumeru."
"Understood," Pug answered.
"Please follow me this way, I will have somebody retrieve your belongings and bring them to your lodging" she said, turning around as she walked along the pier as they eventually got closer to the centre of the harbor where the two towers are located.
The group continued walking where Merchants stood beneath wooden colorful awnings that displayed everything from vegetables and fish to various ornaments that he could identify. Porters pushed handcarts loaded with crates through the pier, while customers in different outfits gathered around the stall to examine the merchandise and argue over prices.
To Pug, who had a brief stay in Hong Kong after the last war, the bustling marketplaces was unlike anything he had encountered on earth. He especially noticed that a couple of merchants behind stalls with a green tarp wore long buttoned coats that Pug remembered seeing in Port Ormos from some Snezhnayan merchants that he saw.
"Quite a commercial establishment you've got here," Pug remarked as they passed the Snezhanyan merchant.
"Thank you," Ganyu replied, "Commerce has always been central to Liyue's propensity. Our merchants conduct business throughout the seven nations. The Qixing work to ensure that trade continues without unnecessary interruption."
"Even with the present situation involving Snezhnaya?"
Ganyu glanced back toward him, "Yes. Although, the war on Earth has certainly complicated some of our commercial arrangements."
She waited until they passed the Snezhnayan merchants going up some stone stairs before continuing, "In fact, it has been even more complicated as Snezhnaya has been trying to buy up as much stock as possible since the invasion of the Soviet Union."
"And the Germans?" Pug asked
"The Germans especially have been trying to maintain as many runs from their country to Liyue Harbor as possible buying all sorts of products through Northland Banks's credit and Snezhnayan intermediaries," Gannyu went on, "They have been using those underwater ships that they call U-boats. Although, I understand that these are the more ocean-going types."
"I see," Pug said.
"Lady Ningguang will answer your questions regarding them," Ganyu said as they turned around the corner and walked forward till they continued onto Yujing Terrace.
To get there, they had to cross a stone bridge and take another flight of stairs where they found tall wooden buildings with a spacious courtyard.
Aether noticed Pug studying the surroundings, "This is Yujing Terrace. A lot of the Qixing's official business is conducted here."
"So like a government district, then?" Pug asked.
"Yes, something like that. But Ningguang is up there," Aether explained as he pointed up.
Pug looked up to see what Aether was talking about until he noticed it. A towering and beautiful floating palace with golden rooftops that sat high above the city. Looking at it almost felt intimidating from below like as if the message of it is that it watches over the city. Pug had seen Buckingham Palace, the White House, the New Chancellery, and many great buildings of Europe but none seemed to make the same impression as the Jade Chamber floating up above.
"I'll say, Lady Ningguang certainly knows how to make an impression," Pug said.
Ganyu smiled, "Lady Ningguang has devoted considerable resources to the Jade Chamber, especially in its rebuilding."
"Rebuilding?" Pug blinked on the idea that there was another once existed.
Ganyu nodded a she explained how the original was destroyed in the attack upon Liyue Harbor from Osial, where Mingguang made the decision to sacrifice the chamber by dropping it on the monster.
"And she rebuilt?" Pug questioned.
"Yes, with considerable help from the traveler."
"How the devil does she keep it up there floating?" Pug said, sounding impressed.
"Plaustite, it's a special material found in Liyue that has the ability to float," Aether answered.
Pug contemplated the possibilities for a moment. Somewhere in Washington, he knew there were engineers who would give a great deal to examine a material capable of keeping an entire palace suspended in the air.
"If you are ready, sir, we can proceed to the Jade Chamber. Lady Ningguang is expecting you," Ganyu gestured.
Pug gave the palace one final look as he became more curious about the woman who had built it.
"By all means, Miss Ganyu. Lead the way," he said.
Half an Hour Later
Up in the Jade Chamber
The ride up the floating platform up to the Jade Chamber was a unique view to see, where it reminded him of riding a plane. Once they reached the level of the Jade Chamber, Pug got a closer look of the Jade Chamber with its dark wooden and the precise cravings made on it. They were led inside where two beautifully red dressed secretaries stood before the door and bowed in respect to Pug.
"Welcome to Jade Chamber, Commander Henry," One of them said.
"Thank you, ma'am," Pug inclined his head.
"Welcome back, Ganyu," the same secretary said.
"Thank you, Baixiao," Ganyu answered.
"The Tianquan, the Tianshu, the Yuheng, and the gentleman from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor are waiting downstairs in Lady Ningguang's office," Baixiao continued, "they have asked that Commander Henry be escorted directly to them."
"What about us?" Aether asked.
"Lady Ningguang asks that you wait upstairs in the reception area that we have prepared so that she and the other members of the Qixing only talk to Commander Henry alone privately."
Pug ignored Paimon's complaint about having traveled with him from Sumeru as he processed the seriousness of this meeting. He expected to only be meeting the Tianquan of the Qixing, but it sounded as if other members of the Liyue government wanted to talk to him. The idea made sense to Pug, while it raised the bar on how important this observational meeting was. The one aspect that confused him was the fact that a supposed undertaker from a funeral parlor would present in this diplomatic meeting.
"You said someone from a Funeral Parlor would be attending?" Pug questioned for clarification.
"Wait…Zhongli is attending?" Aether said, visibly surprised.
Baixiao nodded as she continued, "Yes. Mr. Zhongli was invited by Lady Ningguang to participate in the discussion on the matters of questions that might relate to Liyue's history and culture."
"Friend of yours?" Pug asked Aether.
"Yep," Aether answered, "But he normally stays out of political affairs. He knows so much about Liyue and its traditions."
"Sounds like a scholar," Pug stated with a faint smile.
"He is," Aether answered, "He's also a consultant at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"And he knows a lot about contracts too," Paimon added, "And Liyue's the Nation of Contracts."
Pug considered that as a man with knowledge about history and contracts might not be an unusualw choice after all. Governments on Earth frequently employed scholars and legal experts in diplomatic affairs.
"I suppose I'd find out soon enough," Pug remarked.
"This way, Commander Henry," Ganyu said as she led him forward into the Jade Chamber.
Pug followed her through the entrance while leaving Paimon and Aether with the secretaries. The interior of the Jade Chamber was just as wonderful and luxurious that could rival anything he had seen in any ocean liner he sailed on in Earth. Polished wooden floor stretched beneath high ceilings decorated with golden lights and green banners. He was led down some stairs where under the stairs was a pond with lily pads floating at the top. At each corner was a green porcelain tall vase with a small tree on it. The vases had a floral scenery decolorated on them that enhanced their beauty.
After a few seconds, he was led around to where he was brought to a large office that had a group of people waiting on him. As he was led inside, he saw a long table in front of him where he saw three people there sitting with documents and porcelain teacups arranged before them.. At the center of the table sat a tall woman with long white haired woman with a white and gold dress while holding a smoking pipe in hand that looked worth more than what an Admiral makes in a year. To her left sat a young woman with purple hair wearing an outfit of purple and gold, her expression showed more severity and seriousness than that of the white-haired woman.
The third was elderly gentleman whose modest clothing deeply contrasted the two women with gray hair. But then Pug turned to his left, where he saw a small table with a chair at each side of it. On one of the chairs was a fourth person and Pug assumed that this was the consultant. He wore a long brown coat with golden patterns. His dark hair was neatly arranged, but the eyes had Pug's attention as it was yellow with diamond shaped pupils. Pug encountered plenty of unusual appearances by this point of people from Teyvat such as after Dainsleif as well as Arlecchino. He started to suspect that people with unique pupils in this world were worth paying a strangely unique attention to.
"Commander Henry," the voice of the white haired woman said as she had risen from the chair.
Pug returned his attention to her as Ganyu stepped forward, "Lady Ningguag, Commander Victory Henry, United States Navy."
"Thank you, Ganyu," the white haired woman said, who Pug started to identify as Ningguang, as she approached him and studied him with an interest.
"Commander Henry, welcome to the Jade Chamber," she greeted him, "I trust your voyage from Sumeru was comfortable?"
"Very comfortable, ma'am. You have quite a city here with a lot of shipping here" Pug answered.
"Thank you, Liyue has a history of commerce being its foundation, I suspect that will we have much to discuss on that," she said before she gestured to the others.
"Before we begin, this is Keqing, our Yuheng, in charge of Urban Management," she said, indicating the purple haired woman.
The purple haired woman rose and offered Pug a hand that he shook as she spoke, "Pleasure to meet you."
Ningguang continued as she indicated to the older man, "This is Uncle Tian, our Tianshu, who does our policy making."
Pug moved his hand to the older man and shook it.
"Welcome to our city, Commander," Uncle Tian greeted.
"And then our consultant from Wangshen Funeral Parlor, Mr. Zhongli," Ningguang continued as she moved to the man in the brown outfit, "I have asked him to join us for this unique opportunity and his own observations as he has extensive knowledge of Liyue's history, traditions, and contractual practices."
Zhongli placed his teacup upon the table and rose to greet the visitor, "An honor to make your acquaintance, Commander Henry."
"Likewise, Mr. Zhongli. The Traveler has given me a bit about you," Pug answered.
"Oh? He has?" Zhongli asked with a small smile, "I trust he has spoken favorably of me."
"Very favorably, he and Paimon assure me that your something of an authority on Liyue's history."
"They would be correct. Would you care for some tea, Commander Henry?" Zhongli offered.
"Yes, that would be fine."
"Good, have a seat, Commander," Zhongli said as he sat down and grabbed a teapot where he poured a cup for Pug.
Pug thanked him as he sat down on the other seat, while he sat when the meeting official began.
"Now, Commander. The authorities in Sumeru told us that President Roosevelt sent you to observe the nations of Teyvat, while your Mr. Hopkins does diplomacy back in Sumeru. Is that correct?" Ningguang started.
"Yes, ma'am. The President wanted somebody to learn what he could about the nations here and report back to him. Mr. Hopkins in the meantime continues discussions with Sumeru," Pug answered as Zhongli handed Pug the cup of tea and thanked him.
"And are you authorized to negotiate on behalf of your government?" Keqing asked.
"Not in any binding sense," Pug answered, "I can exchange information, discuss matters of mutual interest, and convey any proposal to Washington. But nothing to commit the United States to alliances or other agreements."
"I appreciate your candor, Commander," Ningguang said with a smile as Pug replied with a nod.
"Now Commander, we were told the story of how the war in your world started, but could you reiterate them verbally to us especially," Uncle Tian asked Pug.
Pug nodded as he started from the beginning of the First Great War to the Rise of Adolf Hitler and then the expansion of Germany's military as well as territory in violation of the Versailles Peace Treaty. He even went to explain the Munich Pact then all the way to Hitler Pact with Stalin that he recently violated with the on-going invasion of the Soviet Union.
"So, Hitler has demonstrated he has a willingness to discard agreements whenever he believes doing so will benefit him," Zhongli inquired.
"Yes, " Pug said.
Zhongli quietly placed his teacup upon the table as he spoke, "How troubling. I must confess, Commander, that I find this particular aspect of your account especially concerning."
"Oh?" Pug questioned.
"As you may already know, Liyue has long regarded contracts as the foundation of its prosperity. Agreements between individuals and nations alike carry obligations that should not be merely discarded because circumstances have become inconvenient."
Pug nodded, "Well, Mr. Zhongli, I imagine that you'll find quite a few people in Europe who would agree with you."
"Indeed," Zhongli went on, "But it seems that this German leader has repeatedly demonstrated that his promises are worth little when weighed against his ambitions."
"And that is a fair assessment."
Zhongli folded his arms as looked toward Pug directly with their eyes meeting. Pug did not know why, but all of a sudden he felt that the concept of intentionally violating a contract offended the consultant as his yellow diamond pupil eyes dilated.
"In Liyue, commander, we have a saying that comes from our Archon, Rex Lapis, before his passing," Zhongli said as his voice harden and firmed, " 'Ones who break their contracts shall suffer the Wrath of the Rock.'"
Pug studied the man for a moment as he felt a particular impression that the man was doing more than simply repeating old scripture. In fact, Pug could say that the Zhongli was making it sound like a judgement.
"Well, that's certainly a stern warning, Mr. Zhongli," Pug remarked.
"Yes, and I have a question to you, Mr. Henry, about those French and British in relating to that Versailles Treaty and Munich Pact," Zhongli continued with his voice still firm and hardened, "Why have they not upheld their own contracts and given the wrath of the rock to Hitler before this war?"
"Well, Mr. Zhongli, to put it bluntly, neither government was willing to risk another general war after the first war in which the countries lost millions of men. France in particular lost almost an entire generation of young men in it. None of the two countries wanted a repeat," Pug explained, "Chamberlain hoped that by letting Hitler have the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia would ensure 'peace in our time'."
Zhongli remained silent for a moment before he examined the contents of his teacup, "Then I find the circumstances surrounding this agreement even more troubling than I initially believed."
"How so?"
"Consider what you have told us, Commander. Two nations, fearing another devastating war, wanted to avoid it by giving up land that belonged to another country to the dictator and doing it without having the affected nation involved in the agreement," Zhongli said, "Only for the man to take the rest of the country six months later."
"That's about the size of it," Pug said.
"And Snezhnaya allied itself with him and had to know this," Keqing said, "The Fatui claim that the Soviets had intentions with the British to divide Teyvat up. Is there any substance to that claim in your world?"
Pug shook his head, "No Ma'am. If anything from what I knew before the invasion, the Soviets were of the same assessment as the British once had in that the Fatui were German propaganda if anything."
Keqing frowned, "Then they did not believe we existed?"
"We know some in Moscow, for sure, had doubts. Remember, Miss. Keqing, your world was practically unknown to most governments on Earth until recently. Some governments are still trying to accept the fact that Britain has declared war on Snezhnaya," Pug answered as paused for a moment before continuing, "Besides, Britain and the Soviet Union weren't exactly friends. Until Hitler attacked Russia three weeks ago, those two countries had very little reason to trust each other. Churchill was even known to be a very vocal anti-communist"
"Then the Fatui's explanation makes very little sense," Uncle Tian continued.
"Which brings us to our next questions," Ningguang continued, "What does President Roosevelt believe Snezhnaya hopes to gain from its alliance with Germany? And should we be worried if the Soviet Union falls?"
Pug took a moment to consider the questions. He had expected inquiries concerning American trade and perhaps questions about the war. But Nigguang had gone straight to a matter that was troubling officials in Washington, London, and now Liyue as well.
He sat his teacup down as he answered, "Well, Ningguang, I can't exactly tell you what the Tsaritsa hopes to accomplish. But the fact that the Fatui are deployed mainly in the Ukraine front tells me that they want the resources there. But that is something that we are still trying to find an answer to. But the President is very concerned about what Snezhnaya stands to gain from the Germans. But I would be concerned about whether the Soviets would fall or not."
"And if Russia falls, then the Snezhnaya troops with experience could turn their attention here?" Ningguang continued.
"Yes, but Hitler as well. Most of the German army is in the Soviet Union and if the Soviets fall, then Britain is in a difficult position," Pug said.
Uncle Tian leaned forward slightly as his aged face frowned, "Commander, may I ask something?"
"Certainly sir."
Uncle Tian nodded as he continued, "You speak of the possibility of the Soviet Union falling to Germany and Snezhnaya. How likely do you believe it?"
Pug considered the question carefully as he remembered what Harry Hopkins said about how the US State Department felt as well as some admirals and generals.
Finally, Pug decided to give an answer, "I wish I could give you a definite answer, Mr. Tian. The Germans have made tremendous advances into Russia and the Russians have undoubtedly suffered some terrible defeats that would have knocked other nations out of the war. But the thing is that Russia is not France."
"How so, Commander?" Uncle Tian replied with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, for starters, geography," Pug answered, "Compared to Russia, France is a relative small country. The Russians have the ability to trade land for opportunity which was something that they did before against Napeolon. The Soviets have a large population, where you can knock one army out and another can be formed not far away. In addition, they have a huge industrial base."
"Then you believe the Soviet Union can withstand the invasion?" Kepinq asked.
"I wouldn't go that far, ma'am," Pug said as he sipped his teacup and then put it down, "Some people in Washington believe that the Russians are finished. The German and Snezhnayan have destroyed or captured several large Soviet formations. The two have been advancing at a remarkable pace I've heard estimates that Russia might not last another month."
"Such a short amount?" Uncle Tian frowned again.
"Yes, sir," Pug answered, "According to Mr. Hopkins, President Roosevelt wants a better picture of the situation as he intends to help supply the Soviets. Mr. Hopkins explained that the President might fly him over to Moscow to make a determination on whether the Soviets will hold."
"If Mr. Hopkins goes and makes an assessment to the President, would he be willing to share it with us as well?" Keqing asked.
Pug considered Keqing's question before answered, "Well, Miss. Keqing, I can't speak for Mr. Hopkins and or the President on that matter. That's something Washington would have to decide."
"I understand," Keqing, "But surely you can appreciate why such information would be valuable to us."
"Certainly, ma'am," Pug said as he leaned back on his chair slightly, "The trouble is that there's a difference between sharing a general assessment of th war and providing another government with confidential military intelligence. Mr. Hopkins might be able to give you an idea of whether the Russians are likely to hold out, but I wouldn't expect him to disclose everything he learns in Moscow."
"Even if the information concerns a nation that is now fighting against Snezhnaya?" Keqing questioned.
"Especially then, some of that information could be useful to either the Fatui or Germans if it fell into the wrong hands."
Ningguang nodded as if she approved of the response, "A responsible precaution. Would maybe general conclusions on the Russian Front with any explanations that we would need to understand your world. Like those tanks for example? We only know what those Snezhnayan and German newsreels are showing in Fontaine and Liyue at the moment. But there are still parts we are trying to understand through other sources."
"Newsreels?" Pug questioned.
"Yes. Die Deutsche Wochenschau, I believe they call it," Ningguang said, "They have been showing them before the main features at the new space they rented out and converted to be a theater. They even showed a movie released in our world mainly in Fontaine sponsored by the German Ministry of Propaganda. The Fatui have been given free seats and concessions for the viewings to them. The movie was bland, I thought. But the things that I hear more on are those newsreels that are of the German Weekly Review."
"I won't put much stock in the truth they tell, ma'am," Pug answered, "I have seen some of them when I was in Berlin. They will show you a hundred destroyed Russian tanks before they show one destroyed German one."
"Yes, that is the pattern that I noticed as well," Ningguang said, "I have met enough dishonest merchants in my time to recognize when someone is being less than truthful about their merchandise. I see little reason to believe that governments are any different."
Keqing decided to speak up, "They have made considerable efforts to emphasize their military victories lately and they have always shown that everything in their homeland is fine. The recent one that we got showed a soccer game in Olympiastadion in Berlin. After a bit, they went to talk about your North Africa front, mainly an artillery bombardment near Tobruk. Then they continued on the invasion of the Soviets focusing especially on that supposed pact between Moscow and London to divide up Teyvat."
"What were the reactions in Liyue to the move and newsreels?" Pug asked curiously.
"Mixed at best, Commander," Ningguang answered with consideration, "The films have attracted lots of attention lately. Some are fascinated by the cities, technology, and those airplanes. Others were impressed by the military equipment shown like the artillery and tanks that they call Panzers."
"I can imagine," Pug replied.
"But the war itself is what concerns our people the most," Ningguang continued, taking another puff from her pipe, "A good number of people in Liyue Harbor still remember Osial and how close our city came to being destroyed."
Pug watched as her expression grew more serious as moved to the next part, "And the fact that Germany is allied with Snezhnaya certainly doesn't help matters. By now its common knowledge throughout Liyue that Childe, or Tartaglia, as is also known, was responsible for unleashing Osial upon the city. Many of our citizens haven't forgotten that, nor have they forgiven the Fatui for what happened as they tried to stop us from preventing the tragedy. And now they seem these films showing cities being destroyed and wonder if the war fought in your world is much worse than Osial's attack and whether the war could come here."
"Returning to the information we discussed earlier, Commander, would your government be able to send us information?" Uncle Tian asked.
"I will forward your request to the President, sir, but I can't make any guarantees at all," Pug answered, "I imagine Washington would be willing to share publicly available information, but anything beyond that would require approval."
"I understand," Uncle Tian replied with a nod.
"Then perhaps we should discuss something closer to home, Commander. You have observed our harbor and we have been getting increased commercial activity involving Snezhnayan merchants and German submarines," Keqing said.
Pug looked toward her, "Yes, ma'am. Ganyu mentioned something about that during our walk."
"Then you are aware that German naval vessels have been visiting Liyue?"
"From what Paimon, Aether, and the officials at Sumeru have told me, yes," Pug answered.
"Yes, the Germans recently have been increasing their purchase as of recent where before Russia, they registered two u-boats doing these runs and now they have asked to register an additional two u-boats for trading," Ningguang stated, "Although, at the moment, the German Government is not very happy with me lately and I assume that someone has brought my name to Hitler's attention especially as of recent."
Pug looked at her with renewed interest, "What's that about?"
Ningguang smiled as if she was revealing something dirty as she raised her smoking pipe, "We recently conducted an inspection of one of their submarines. A vessel designated U-66, if I recall correctly."
"What sort of inspection?"
Ningguang smiled even more as she took a puff out of her pipe and had a look that reminded Pug of when President Roosevelt had a good idea that was wild. He listened as she explained that the Liyue Ministry of Civil Affairs did a maritime inspection on U-66 concerning sanitation, safety, and compliance with Liyue's harbor regulations. This causation that they used was that since the submarine was designated to be transporting cargo from Liyue to Hamburg. The Captain of the U-66 was very argumentative and not very enthusiastic about it, but eventually gave in to be allowed to get his cargo.
"Well, I'll be damned, you might get along with my President…Lady Ningguang," Pug answered.
"I will take that as a compliment," Ningguang said with a smile as took another puff out of her pipe.
"Oh, it is, ma'am. President Roosevelt has a particular talent for finding ways around a difficult situation. I would know, he has already given Snezhnaya a headache on when I escorted a large British convoy across the Atlantic," Pug answered, "Which might explain why Hitler is willing to divert U-boats to your world to do cargo runs as Snezhnaya has been taking part in sinking British trade."
"Indeed, but why Submarines? I assume your world has better vessels than that," Keqing said.
"We do, but maybe Hitler can't afford to move large cargo ships between worlds as he needs iron ore from Sweden in large numbers," Pug said, "Then there's the question of whether the routes between our worlds can accommodate larger vessels."
"Could be. You will have to tell us more later, but we have learned a decent amount of information," Ningguang said as she stood up, "I understand you will be staying in Liyue for a few days, Commander?"
"That's correct, I haven't settled on an exact departure date yet," Pug confirmed.
"Execellent.I am presently waiting to hear from the Acting Grand Master In Mondstadt, but Liyue and Mondstadt has been working together on something for some time. Something that interest you," she went on.
"Oh?"
"Yes. If the Acting Grand master approves, I would very much like to show you what we have accomplished."
Pug studied her expression for a moment as he continued, "Something to do with the war?"
"In a manner of speaking," Ningguang answered as she took one more puff out of her pipe, "Nevertheless, if she approves, it might be something of considerable interest to President Roosevelt."
"Well, you have certainly made me curious, ma'am," Pug said.
"Then I hope the eventual presentation will satisfy that curiosity, Commander."
Later that Evening
By the time the floating platform descended from the Jade Chamber to Yujing Terrace, Pug had accumulated enough information to occupy several days of correspondence with Washington. After he had his meeting, Ningguang apparently called up Aether and Paimon for a separate meeting based on their own experiences. Pug guessed that maybe that the members of Qixing wanted to hear the tales of what Pug had told them from their trusted hero and ensure that they align. The meeting for the pair was not as long as Pug's, but as he waited the Secretaries kept him entertained with tea and some treats.
When the meeting ended, they were ready to return back down where Ganyu escorted them back. She led them down to the Baiju Guesthouse, where Pug would be staying for the duration of his observation of Liyue.
"I hope the accommodations will be satisfactory, sir," Ganyu said as they approached the entrance.
"I'm sure the accommodations will be satisfactory, Miss. Ganyu. Much obliged for arranging everything," Pug replied.
"It was our pleasure. Lady Ningguang wishes to ensure that your stay in Liyue is both comfortable and productive."
"Well, you can tell her she's certainly off to a good start."
Ganyu smiled politely, "I shall. Have a good night, sir."
After bidding her farewell, Pug entered the guesthouse with Aether and Paimon accompanying him. The establishment was considerably more modest than the Jade Chamber with a red wood interior with golden floral paint patterns on the walls and its floor was a dark wood panelling. The center of each floor panelling was covered with a smoothly carved flat but amber glowing orange crystal.
He walked up to the lobby, where he introduced himself with a name given to him by Alhaitham, that Lady Ganyu confirmed his registration, to the receptionist who reminded him of the greeter that was outside at the front. The receptionist acknowledged Pug as she told him that his room was ready and that his luggage was already brought to his room by the Minilith. She gave him the key to his room saying that it was on the upper floor.
"Thank you," Pug said to the receptionist as he walked up the stairs with Aether and Paimon right beside him.
As he walked up the stairs to the next floor, he accidentally bumped into a lady coming down from the opposite direction.
"Oh, sorry, ma'am," Pug immediately apologized as he stepped aside to let her pass.
The woman had pale blue hair neatly behind her head and wore an elegant pale-blue kimono decorated with flowers. She appeared to Pug to be in her early twenties. Although the collision had startled her, she quickly recovered her composure.
"Oh, please, there's no need to apologize," she replied, offering a polite bow, "I should have been paying closer attention myself. I hope that I didn't startle you."
"No harm done, Just wasn't watching where I was going," Pug answered.
The young woman smiled, "Then I am relieved."
Pug returned the smile and was about to continue upstairs until Aether, who had been walking behind him, suddenly stopped and seemed surprised with a hit of excitement noticeable.
"Ayaka?" Aether said.
"Aether! What a wonderful surprise!" the woman said as her face brightened with genuine delight.
She stepped toward him as she momentarily forgetting the formal composure she had displayed only seconds earlier.
"A friend of yours, Aether?" Pug asked.
Aether quickly nodded, "Yes, we've known each other for quite some time."
"Ayaka?" Paimon called out excited.
"Paimon! It's wonderful to see you too!" Ayak said as she turned toward floating girl.
"Paimon didn't know you were in Liyue!" Paimon exclaimed as she floated closer, "What are you doing here?"
Ayaka gave a small laugh, "I could ask you both the same question. I certainly wasn't expecting to encounter you two here."
"Well, we've been traveling a lot lately," Aether answered, "We just arrived in Liyue earlier today."
Pug went quiet as he watched the reunion unfold before him. He had already noticed that Aether seemed to know an extraordinary number of people throughout Teyvat. Now, another one had appeared in a dress style that reminded him strongly of the Japanese Women he had encountered during his naval service in the Far East.
Ayaka turned toward him, apparently remembering that she had been speaking with someone before she recognized Aether.
"Oh! Forgive me. I was so surprised to see the Traveler that I nearly forgot my manners."
"No apologies necessary, ma'am," Pug reassured her.
She bowed before Pug, "My name is Kamisato Ayaka, of the Kamisato Clan in Inazuma. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Pug returned the greeting with a slight inclination of his, "Vahid Mehran. Pleasure's mine."
The name that Pug gave felt peculiar whenever he spoke it aloud. Alhaitham had assured him that the identity would be sufficient for his travels as long as he remembered the details of his supposed academic background.
"Mehran?" Ayaka repeated as she appeared interested, "Are you perhaps from Sumeru?"
"That's correct, ma'am," Pug answered, "I'm visiting from the Akademiya."
"How interesting!" she said.
"Ayaka," Aether said, sounding almost as happy as Pamela can be when she sees Pug, "What are you doing here?"
Ayaka smiled warmly, "I'm here on behalf of the Yashiro Commission. My brother asked me to represent our family in several discussions with officials concerning cultural exchanges between Inazuma and Liyue."
Ayaka smiled nervously, "Yes. Unfortunately, his responsibilities kept him rather occupied lately."
"That sounds like Ayato," Paimon said.
"It is…these days, events have been making everyone busy," said the cheerful voice of another man not far behind Ayaka.
Pug looked over Ayaka's shoulders of a green eyed messy strawberry blond haired man.
"Thoma?" Aether said.
"Well, look who it is!" Thoma answered cheerfully as he approached, "Traveler! Paimon! I wasn't expecting to see you two here!"
"Well, someone has to make sure Lady Ayaka's visit goes smoothly."
"Thoma, you make it sound like I cannot manage on my own," Ayaka gently protested.
"Not at all, my lady. I just wouldn't hear the end of it from your brother if anything went wrong."
Aether laughed as Thoma noticed Pug standing beside the traveler, "Oh, and who's your friend?"
The introductions followed with Pug identifying himself as Vahid Mehran from Sumeru. Thoma greeted him with a smile and assured him that Liyue was an excellent place for anyone interested in commerce or history. Naturally, Paimon made the suggestion for Dinner with Thoma agreeing with the idea of Wanmin Restaurant. Ayaka readily agreed when Aether accepted the invitation. Pug had to excuse himself to settle into his room and promised to join them afterward.
The Streets of Chihu Rock
Two and a half hour Laters
The dinner proved to be a cheerful affair with Wanmin Restaurant busy, but it turned out to Pug that Aether knew both the proprietor, Chef Mao, and his daughter, Xiangling. This meant that securing a seat there was not going to be difficult. The Chef greeted them enthusiastically at seeing Aether and Paimon, while Xiangling found them a recently vacated table large enough for the whole party.
The restaurant was considerably less elaborate than the dining establishments he had visited in Shanghai and Hong Kong during his naval career, but the food was excellent. Xiangling, an energetic young woman with blue hair, recommended that Pug upon learning that he was from 'Sumeru' began recommending Jueyun Chili Chicken. Pug accepted and Aether watched as the naval officer in disguise enjoyed its spicy kick.
After the eating, Pug commented that he was going to hit the sack back at the Guesthouse. Paimon yawning agreed and followed him, but Aether did not want to leave as he stayed with Ayaka and followed her throughout the night in the streets of Chihu Rock. Ayaka mentioned that she wished to explore Liyue's streets before retiring for the night, and Aether offered to accompany her. Thoma initially offered to escort her back to the guesthouse himself, but Ayaka politely declined.
"Thank you, Thoma, but I would like to spend a little more time with the Traveler. We haven't seen each other in quite some time," she said.
Thoma glanced toward Aether before smiling, "Of course my lady. Just don't stay out too late."
"I shall be careful."
"And Traveler?"
"Yes?" Aether replied.
"Please make sure that Lady Ayaka gets back safely, would you?" Thoma asked.
Aether nodded in response, "Of course."
"Then I will leave her in your capable hands," Thoma said as he departed leaving the two friends to enjoy the evening together.
The pair stayed close together as the streets of Chihu Rock remained lively despite the late hour as lanterns lung beneath wooden awnings and casted a warm glow across the cobblestone streets. Merchants were closing their shops for the evening, while some restaurants still welcomed customers.
"The stars are beautiful, aren't they, traveler?" Ayaka commented with a smile as she stopped and looked upward.
Aether followed her gaze as he could see the uncountable stars in the dark sky. The moon hung high over Liyue harbor as it illuminated the distant mountains that lay beyond the city.
"They are, indeed," Aether said with a smile.
Ayaka smiled in return.
"I've always enjoyed looking at the night sky," she said as she held out her fan, "Whenever my duties become overwhelming, I sometimes take a little time to admire the stars from the Kamisato Estate."
"Does it help?"
"Very much," Ayaka went on as she lowered her gaze toward him, "Even when everything around us seems terribly busy, the night sky has a way of making one's concerns feel rather small. Or even when everything stops to make sense anymore these days."
Aether noticed the change in her expression.
"Something bothering you, Ayaka?" he asked.
"Oh, no. Please don't misunderstand me," Ayka smiled, "It's simply that so much has happened over the past several months. Sometimes, I wonder what the future holds for all of us."
"The War?"
Ayaka nodded with concern in her face as she continued, "Until recently, the affairs of Earth were something most people in Inazuma knew very little about. We hear about the stories of another world and the nations that inhabit it. There was even a certain excitement on the prospect of meeting people from beyond Teyvat."
"And now?"
Ayaka sighed softly as she lowered her fan, "Now it seems that everything involving that world is one horrific detail after another….The Snezhnayan and German invasion in the Soviet Union….The Snezhnayan Declaration of War on Britain….Yugoslavia…so much…and its too much all in one."
Aether understood the feeling as he explained to her how he and Paimon arrived to London, the Capital of Britain, after the worst air raid the city had and saw so much destruction from the bombs where there was glass and rubble everywhere. Then he continued to HMS Hood that sank in minutes against the Bismarck and lost fourteen hundred men with only three survivors.
Ayaka looked horrified as she processed the thought of so many families losing a loved one from that ship.
"I knew that there were probably terrible losses in the war. But even my brother didn't fully understand how dreadful the fighting could be. The Japanese on their first visit told us that they had millions of men fighting in their army in service of their Emperor, but Ayato thought that they were exaggerating their military strength in order to intimidate the Shogun," she continued.
"I am afraid that the British tell me that it's true. Japan has been fighting a war with China for years," Aether continued.
"Millions of soldiers," Ayaka repeated, "It is such an extraordinary number. And to think that they have been engaged in fighting for years…"
They continued walking as Aether got close to Ayaka as the evening streets remained peaceful. A few merchants continued packing away their merchandise while the sound of conversation drifted from a nearby restaurant.
Ayaka watched a family passed along the opposite side of the street, while a young boy hurried ahead of his parents. The hurried boy laughing as the parents called for him.
"I wonder," Ayaka said softly.
"About what?"
Ayaka nodded toward the family, "Whether the people of London once enjoyed evenings just like this before the bombing began."
Aether followed her gaze with a smile, "They still do, when they can."
"Even with the war?"
"Yes. They still go to restaurants with limited options on the menu, visit friends, and spend time with their families. They try to live as normally as possible," Aether expounded.
"I suppose what troubles me most is how easily everything we take for granted might disappear," Ayaka said looking out to the sky again and turned toward Aether with a pained gaze, "I worry whether Inazuma could suffer what those people in London have experienced. But I worry more about you."
Aether surprised turned toward her, "me?"
Ayaka appeared to realize what she had just admitted, "Well, yes."
She lowered her and opened her fan almost instinctively, "Forgive me. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"You haven't," Aether reassured her.
"It's simply hearing what you witnessed on Earth about London and about the Hood," she said, "I know you are capable of protecting yourself. But I can't help being afraid of what would happen to you if you were caught in such an event. I just wish you would be careful."
"I will, I promise," Aether said, grabbing her hand.
"Do you remember the dance that I performed for you in Chinju Forest?" Ayaka asked.
Aether smiled at the memory, "Of course, i do."
"Really?"
"How could I forget? It was after we went to the festival together. You stepped into the stream and started dancing under the moonlight."
"Oh, goodness. I remember being nervous."
"You didn't look nervous."
"I assure you, I was," she continued as she raised her fan with a free hand, "I had practiced that dance many times before, but performing it for you was an entirely different experience. I wasn't performing as the Shirasagi Himegimi or representing the Kamisato Clan. Instead I was simply Ayaka."
"It was beautiful, especially when you used your abilities to make the giant sigil of a snow flake on the stream at the end," Aether admitted with a blush appearing on his cheeks
Ayaka blinked as she looked at him for a moment before a delighted smile appeared on her face, "I must confess, I'm rather surprised. If the chance ever comes again, would you like to see that dance again someday?"
Aether kept his wide eyes on her, "Of course."
"Then perhaps when you next visit Inazuma then?"
Aether nodded with a smile.
"Can we keep walking for a bit before you have to take me back to the guest house?" Ayaka asked.
"Of course, anything you want to see in particular?" Aether asked.
"Maybe the docks, just to see if the stars look better from there," Ayaka suggested as she tightened the handgrip between them as if she did not want to let him go.
They would spend more than two whole hours walking through Liyue Harbor as they talked about everything that they loved about Teyvat and the stars, where they looked up at the various constellations that formed the night. But through their connection, the two both felt a sense of something that they did not want to let go.
For Aether, when he brought her back to the Guesthouse late in the night, he felt an emptiness in his heart that appeared the moment he wished Ayaka a good night and let go of her. As she went into her room, Aether went outside to see the stars one more time and went into deep thought about everything that had happened in his life. He had spent years traveling across Teyvat, meeting countless people, and forming friendships in nearly every nation. He shared victories and hardships with many friends, while witnessing extraordinary things alongside them.
As he descended the stairs and stepped outside the guesthouse, the streets had grown almost deserted as a few lanterns still burned beneath the wooden awnings. Out in the distant harbor laid the silence beneath the moonlight. He looked up toward the stars and retraced some of the constellations with his eyes.
For as long as he can remember, his journey had revolved around finding Lumine. Ever since their separation, the desire to reunite with sister had guided nearly every decision he had made. Even as he traveled throughout the different nations of Teyvat and became involved in their troubles, that purpose had never strayed. He remembered the day that they had been separated because of that unknown god, the battles he had fought, and the many times he truly wondered how much his journey would continue.
However, the images of his head could not stop to see Ayaka appear in an increasing fashion that her name instantly refilled the darkness in his heart with light. They didn't replace Lumine and nor would Aether wanted it to, but his heart and mind seemed to be building room for Ayaka that seemed to be growing into something more than a friendship. And it was all because he had experienced something that he never realized how much he needed it. As he returned inside the Guesthouse, he could not keep that memory of that breath-taking dance in Chinju Forest off his mind and recalled the events with vivid details in all of its seconds.
Please feel free to let me know what you thought of the chapter and even the story thus. I had to go back and do some research as I wanted to do check on some things.
We finally get to see some Aether/Ayaka love as I made it a shipping for this story. I think if there is one issue that I should have fixed was find a way to have some scenes like this happen sooner, but I will try to find ways to ensure that more happen where possible.
Here is the historical information for the important parts:
1. The reference episode of the Die Deutsche Wochenschau: The reference newsreel mentioned is from July 25th 1941, where I assumed that it would be the one that Liyue and Fontiane especially would be seeing at this point with the distance and travel between Snezhnaya and them. But I used it in reference the actual news that it was giving. In case you are looking for it on Youtube it is No.564. But in this one, for this story, I made changes based on what I assumed would be included in it. Also a not well known fact, but the Nazi's would also make copies of the reels that would be dubbed in other nations (most likely other Axis Aligned countries).
2. The American Occupation of Iceland: This occurred in July 7th, 1941 where Roosevelt had 4,000 US Marines supplement and replace the British Forces there for American national security and protection of the Atlantic communications. Do remember that the US was still neutral at this point of the war and was five months before America's entry to the war.
Engagement Question (Warning Question 1 is a mouthful and felt that I should keep it to one for that reason):
1. So I am continuing on the Archon Quests on Genshin, and wanted an opinion as I noticed something that I felt uncomfortable about. If you have not gone this far in the game, warning..spoilers....But it seems like as Hoyo is either putting the Tsaritsa in a position of where she is like Emperor Hirohito where it's the Harbingers doing the dirty deeds or as a character that is unable to see what she had done previously is wrong and it's a situation worse than what Ei/Raiden Shogun did in Inazuma for Eternity. Like in other words, Hoyo seems, in words of some fans on reddit, to be 'whitewashing' the Fatui of what they have been doing. This to me as felt wrong for Hoyo to do this, but I wanted your take on it. Because after that, I think that I am going to have end that notion in Book 2 by completely ensuring with actual scenes of levels of what the hell types to place the Fatui as a criminal like organization that should be banned like the SS as a reference. Yes, you can argue Dottore already does. However, I don't want to seem that I am taking it out of proportions. Should I establish head on in Book 2 that the Fatui are no better than the SS and maybe change how the Tsaritsa should be perceived?